Fiberboard and process for producing same



Sept. 19, 1933. J. EDGE 1,927,359

FIBER BOARD AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SAME Original Filed Dec. 24, 1928 wanton Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STAT S 1,927,359 I rmnaaoaan AND PROCESS Foa Pao- DUCIN G SAME Jacob Edge, Downingtovvn, l'a., assignor to i Downingtown Manufacturing Company,

Downingtown, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application December 24, 1928, Serial No. 328,095. Divided and this application January 5, 1931. Serial No. 506,720

4 Claims. (0192-39) My invention relates to fiber board and to a method of producing same.

A primary object of my invention is to produce a board of even thickness and of uniform structure, the fibers being disposed in all directions and thoroughly interlaced, and practically, or completely, without segregation.

The particular example of my invention which is here set forth to illustrate the principles thereof comprises the steps of providing a pond of stock above a forming wire of sufiicient height to exert a relatively great static pressure, depositing fibers from the stock on the forming wire in a layer of the desired thickness, continually moving the forming wire beneath the pond of stock, and replenishing the stock in the pond, to maintain it at the desired height.

In the drawing is illustrated in vertical, longitudinal section, a machine found to be effective in carrying out my process, which machine forms the subject matter of my application Serial Number 328,095, filed December 24, 1928, of which the present application is a division.

At 1 is shown the frame of the machine, preferably mounted on pedestals 2, though it may well be mounted directly on the floor. Mounted on the frame in any suitable manner are the usual breast roll 3, table rolls 4, and bottom press roll 5, over which travels the endless forming wire 6,,driven by the press roll 5, and which is guided in its return journey by suitable guide and stretch rolls- 7. Also'mounted on the frame 1 in any suitable manner is a head box 8 of relatively great height. In any convenient manner, asby a supply pipe 9, the pulp-bearing mixture 10 can be introduced from a source of supply (not shown).

It is intended that the head box 8 be provided with any suitable form of adjustable overflow -means, to accurately determine the pressure head within the .box. In the form shown these means comprise the removable gates 12; mounted one above the other, whereby opening of any one causes the surplus pulp mixture to overflow at that point. It is intended that the material overflowing be returned in any suitable manner to the source of supply. The quantity of pulp mixture flowing through the pipe 9 is constantly greater than the amount flowing onto the wire 6 so that there will constantly be an overflow, thus maintaining the pressure head at a predetermined height, and insuring uniform flow onto the wire 6.

The wire is driven at a uniform rate of speed by suitable means such as the press roll 5, while the pulp mixture 10 is forced onto the wire at a uniform rate by the pressure of the static head. As the pulp contacts with the wire 6 and the water begins to drain through, the stock starts forming, passing through an opening formed by a yieldingly mounted deflector, which is shown as comprised of plate members 14 and 15, being pivotally hinged at 17 to the head box 8. This arrangement allows formation to take place uniformly over all the surface of the wire from the center of the breast roll 3 to the line of the end of plate 14. It is, of course, understood that the deflector may be of any desired length.

Mounted for movement adjacent the workin surface. of the wire 6 is a continuous auxiliary or top wire 18, the function of which is to travel upon the top surface of the board being formed, and to hold it while it is being pressed. This is accomplished by means of pressure transmitted to the wire 18 by means of a plurality of pressure rolls 19 mounted on suitable means such as bars 20 adjustably suspended from a portion of the frame 1, .and by a top press roll 21. The wire is returned around suitable guide and stretch rolls 22, and through the opening formed betweenadjacent sections 14 and 15 of the deflector.

As a result of the action of the rolls 19 and 21, the wire 18 is caused to exercise a constantly increasing pressure on the board so that when it issues from the press rolls it will be sufliciently firm to withstand its own weight, and will be of the desired thickness.

Primary presses 23'and 24 may or may not be used, depending upon the character of the products being made. It is believed that several pairs of these will be required on the heavier and thicker boards, in numbers at least sufllcient to solidify the board to a point where it will readily carry its own weight without breaking, even slightly, in its passage between the presses 5, 21, and the next following apparatus.

A partieular'feature of novelty is residentin the manner in which I make provision for the simultaneous adjustment of the deflector and the bars 20, carrying the pressure rolls 19. As shown, these members are hinged together at 25. By a suitable linkage 26, pivotally mounted on any suitable portion of the frame 1, as on the lugs 27 formed on the post 28, the joint 25 is connected to a lever 29, preferably provided with an eye to which is secured a chain or cord 30. The cord 30 passes over a pulley 31 mounted on the post 28, and has secured at its end a weight or counterbalance 32, so designed that it just exceeds the upward static pressure against plates 14 and 15, thus forcing the top wire 18 yieldingly downwardly against the board.

In the event that the board passing through the opening defined by the deflector is increased in thickness for any reason, the deflector and pressure rolls will give temporarily, and then be returned by the action of the weight 32. To insure a similar action of the free ends of the bar 20, they are adapted for connection to a counterbalancing means of suitable form. In the present instance ears 33 are struck-up on the bars 20, in which is pivotaliy mounted a link 3 pivotally connected at its outer end to a rocker 35 which in turn, is pivotally mounted on ears 36 formed on the post 37, or is supported in any other suitable manner from the frame 1. On the outer end of the rocker 35 is a weight 38, by means of which the outer ends or" the bars 20, and hence the pressure rolls 19, are normally urged yieldingly against the wire 18. If the board stool: momentarily increases in thickness, the arrangement is such that the mechanism will give, and then be returned by the action of the weigh It is obvious however, that any other type of yielding support can be employed for the deflector and pressure bars.

Mounted underneath the working surface of the lower wire 6, in any desirable manner, is a catch basin or tank 39 having a drain spout 40 by means of which the water which has escaped through the wire can be returned through any suitable pump to the source of pulp supply. To

4 properly guide the water into the basin 39, de- 35- fiectors 41 are arranged adjacent to and extendhis along the interior face of the breast roll and press roll 3 and 5.

With my invention, it is possible to produce continuously a board of substantially any desired thickness, characterized by an almost total absence of laminetions or weak spots.

It is of course, understood that the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and adaptations, and it is intended that it be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. 'Ihe method of forming fiber boards which comprises maintaining a body of pulp stock under uniform relatively high static pressure upon the menses upper siu'face of an endless horizontally disposed ioraminous forming member, the liquid passing rapidly therethrough and a layer of pulp being deposited thereon, and horizontally removing the pulp layer from beneath the body of pulp stool: through a restricted orifice in a continuous mannor as it is formed by continuously moving forming member horizontally in one direction.

2. The method of forming fiber boards which comprises maintaining a body pulp stock under uniform relatively high static pressure upon the upper surface of an endless horizontally disposed foraminous forming member, the liquid passing rapidly therethrough and a layer of pulp being deposited thereon, horizontally removing the pulp 9g layer from beneath the body of pulp stock through a restricted orifice in a continuous manner by continuously moving the forming member in one direction, and subjecting the pulp layer to a light pressure in a vertical direction as it passes from beneath the pulp stock hardy.

The method of forming fiber boards which comprises maintaining a sandy of pulp stock under uniform relatively high static pressure upon the upper surface of an endless horizontally disposed ioraminous forming member, the liquid passing rapidly therethrough and a layer oipulp stock being deposited thereon, and horizontally removing the pulp layer from beneath the body f of pulp steel; in a continuous manner by continuously moving the forming member in one direction, the member and superposed pulp layer passing through a restricted aperture when leav-- ing the body of pulp stock and the pulp layer being given a light compression in a vertical direction immediately prior to passing through said aperture.

I c. The method of forming fiber boards which comprises maintaining a relatively large and substantially quiescent body of pulp stock under uniform and relatively great static pressure upon the upper surface of an endless substantially horizontally disposed foraminous member, the liquid passing rapidly through the member and the pulp fibers being deposited thereon to form a layer, 126 and continuously removing the pulp layer from beneath the body of pulp stock through a restricted orifice by horizontal movement of said member.

ioo

JACOB EDGE; 

